April 1, 2002
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona State sophomore pitcher Mike Esposito has been named the Collegiate Baseball National Pitcher of the Week after his 17-strikeout, complete-game victory over the University of Washington last Friday at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Ariz.
Esposito's 17-strikout performance ranks as the sixth most strikeouts in a single game in Arizona State history and the most by a Sun Devil since 1997 (Ryan Mills). He allowed only three runs (two earned) and eight hits in his second complete-game win of the year. Esposito, a redshirt sophomore from Las Vegas, Nev. (Cimarron High School) improved to 6-3 on the year while leading the Devils to an 8-3 win over the Huskies. He leads all Sun Devils and ranks in the top five in the Pac-10 with 58 strikeouts (in 57.0 IP) and a 2.53 ERA. Over his last five games Esposito is a remarkable 4-1 with a nearly impeccable 1.32 ERA. Over that same stretch has registered 47 strikeouts in 34.0 innings pitched. The preseason All-American and 2001 Team USA member is now 12-5 in his two-years at ASU.
Esposito becomes the second Sun Devil this year to earn National Pitcher of the Week honors, with sophomore teammate Ryan Schroyer (Casa Grande) earning the honor after striking out 11 vs. Southern Utah during the opening weekend of the 2002 season. The Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week honor and NCBWA National Pitcher of the Week honor, which Esposito is a likely candidate, will both be announced later today or early Tuesday.
Top Strikeout Performances in ASU History:
22 - Sterling Slaughter, 3-18-63 vs. CSU 21 - Eddie Bane, 4-1-72 vs. LaVerne (14 inn.) 20 - Jim Otten, 5-23-73 vs. BYU 19 - Eddie Bane, 6-1-73 vs. Denver 18 - Gary Gentry, 5-22-67 vs. Arizona 17 - Mike Esposito, 3-29-02 vs. Washington 17 - Ryan Mills, 2-14-97 vs. Southern Illinois 17 - Sean Rees, 3-9-90 vs. California